Kampala — The recent riots revealed a serious problem in our nation's morality.

THE riots that gripped the nation a couple of weeks ago and left many lives and properties lost revealed a big problem in the nation's morals. For the first time in over 30 years the ugly side of human behaviour overrode the conscience of a faith-believing nation.

Over 80% of Ugandans profess to be Christians. With the increasing numbers of religious denominations, one wonders why such scenes of sheer madness can take the best Ugandans, many of whom bear Christian first names and attend church most Sundays.

When men and women of different ages get together to unleash terror on other human beings like them, where is the love? What makes people who normally appear calm, turn violent and xenophobic? What is in the minds of those who pick up sticks and stones to break others' bones?

And what can be done to reverse such trends of simmering anger and revenge?

Some church leaders shared their interpretation of the situation that led people to cast off restraint and participate actively in the riots.

Professor Simeon Kayiwa of Namirembe Christian Fellowship attributes the sad happenings to the massive breakdown of the social structure in the modern age. "People today are preoccupied with discriminative thoughts against their fellow men, and that is the root of injustices and unfairness in our society," Kayiwa says.

He further believes that man's deliberate choice not to heed the promptings of the God-given conscience has led him to fall prey of evil schemes.

Kayiwa asserts that it's only the love of God that casts out the deep-rooted insecurities in man's heart and that can answer man's moral predicament. The Bible says that perfect love casts out all fear (1Jonh 4:18).

Kayiwa also attributes such mayhem to the popularised abuse of drugs by the so called celebrities of the modern age. "They elevate (narcotic) drugs to a bizarre level which is harmful to the younger generation. Yet many youth look up to them as their models. Tragically, they have no time for God. And their debauched lifestyle is devastating."

Apostle John Bunjo of Christian Restoration ministries explains that God has given man freedom in choosing whatever path he wants to take. God said in His word: "I call heaven and earth as witness today against you, that I have set before you life and death blessing and curses; therefore, choose life."

Today, good morals have been sacrificed at the altar of emotional anger; we need to keep in mind that freedom of choice allows both good and evil outcomes, depending on the choices we make. Bunjo asserts that evil choices made by the present generation will be paid for by the future generation.

Bishop David Kiganda of Christianity Focus Centre Kisenyi believes that the Church can effectively provide a short cut towards behavioural change in human beings.

Quoting from Jeremiah 17:9, he says man's heart is deceitful and desperately wicked above all things. A simple grievance or misunderstanding of any kind can trigger someone to inflict mayhem on others as it was evidenced in the recent riots, Kiganda asserts.

"Because of the evil nature of man's heart, apprehending him because of his sinful acts cannot bring about the desired behavioural transformation. Someone jailed for minor offences but may come out as a hardliner," Kiganda reasons.

Kayiwa worries that regardless of the country's endowment with natural resources, the moral capital to man those resources is lacking, meaning that the resources will be squandered.

Apostle John Bunjo urges: "Before a man lets anger take the best of him, he should explore all the possible avenues of dialogue. With dialogue all misunderstandings can be ironed out without violent means. A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger, according to proverbs 15:1."

Bunjo applauds the recent meeting of the President and the Kabaka of Buganda as a positive move towards healing the emotional wounds of the nation.